BA confirms strike will go ahead

By Charles Starmer-Smith

British Airways seemed today to have abandoned hope of avoiding strikes next week, confirming in an email to customers that cabin staff will walk out.

Talks are continuing, but BA seemed to concede that the strikes planned for Tuesday and Wednesday were now inevitable.

"Unfortunately, despite continued talks, industrial action will be taking place on January 30 and 31," it said. "We are working day and night to try to come to an agreement with the Transport and General Workers' Union that will stop any further planned strikes from taking place."

Those are scheduled for February 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14.

A BA spokesman said the airline had to be realistic and give passengers time to make alternative arrangements.

In addition to the cancellations which had already been announced on the strike days, the airline confirmed that there will be disruption to flights in the days following the strike as it repositions aircraft and crew around the world.

It has published a list of more than 160 flights that it has already cancelled on the day after the strike. Some of these are flying as late as February 8. See http://ba.com/lfn for details.

Customers booked on these flights will be able to rebook their flights, change destinations or claim a refund.